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Small Home Office ideas
With a little imagination and planning, almost any space in your home can be turned into a useful workstation area.
Millions of us are looking to create a home office, whether it’s for remote working or to catch up with the paperwork. If you don’t have a dedicated room, then rethinking space is key. Whether you are looking to create a workspace in an alcove, bedroom or even under the stairs, here are some ideas and inspiration.
Office under the stairs
Have you thought about turning the little-loved space under your stairs into a home office? The stairs need to be wide and straight enough to allow you to tuck a desk and simple storage under. Bespoke furniture can be designed for awkward spaces to use every available inch. There are two possible set-ups: desk facing the stair wall or facing the staircase. Give thought to task lighting and electrical sockets, so they are planned at the early stages. If you need privacy, consider installing a door as the hall gets a lot of footfall throughout the day.
Under the stairs is a small space with bags of potential.
Adopt an alcove
A little-used dining/living room alcove can be a great spot to set up a study area. There is plenty of natural light and possibly a garden view. You could ask a joiner to build you something bespoke or if you are a competent DIYer, you could create a desktop yourself with a few strong wall brackets and a piece of wood cut to size. If you’ve only got a nook to work with, make the best use of any vertical space by building cupboards or shelves right up to the ceiling for notebooks, stationery and files. You could consider using paint, wallpaper or rugs to create zones for the dining/working area to make it feel designed rather than makeshift.
Corner off a multi-purpose space
No under-the-stairs space or dining room alcove? Then create a multi-purpose space in your living room. There’s no need to compromise on style. Desks and chairs are available in a myriad of sizes and styles, so it shouldn’t be hard to find ones to blend with the existing furniture in your room. Avoid pieces that look too office like. Family photos or artwork can help to ensure the space still feels part of the living room. If you use a corner of your living room or bedroom, invest in a notebook-sized laptop that won’t dominate the space. Use plants to blur the line between office and living space and bring a sense of wellbeing.
Bedroom office
Your bed may be the most comfortable place in the house but avoid working from it if you can. It’s best to keep areas for sleep/relaxation and work separate. That said, if living space is at a premium, using your bedroom as a home office may be the only option. Flexible furniture should be your go-to solution, a slim desk that doubles as a dressing table when you have clocked off. Complete the transformation by popping a mirror on the worksurface and keep office clutter tidied away. Never plug a high-wattage appliance like a hairdryer into the same extension cord as your PC or printer. It will overload the plug, creating a fire risk. Check out this article on "Electrical Safety when working from home" for more information.
Kitchen office
Creating a home office in the kitchen is increasingly popular. Kitchen islands are great for perching with a laptop for emailing, writing reports or helping with homework while cooking. In narrow, galley kitchens, breakfast bars can also double up as a desk or workstation. Repurposing some of your kitchen shelves and drawers for office essentials helps to keep clutter under control. If you have a recessed area or blank wall, consider a desk and chair instead of filling it with cupboards.
Hide your desk inside a cupboard
If your workstation is based in the living room or kitchen but you don’t want to be reminded of work when you’re not at the desk, it could make sense to hide it way inside a cupboard. This allows you to keep office essentials behind closed doors with shelves for boxes, files and paperwork. Look for units with a dropdown or pull-out desktop that can be closed or slid back when not in use. There are also trolleys on casters you can wheel out and position desk side while working. Officefurniture has a range of tall and low combination units with matching desks and bookcases.
A mobile workstation
A space-savvy mobile workstation is another possible option. You can move the desk around your home to find the ideal location which may vary day to day depending on the presence of other family members. Ikea’s storage unit on wheels can be used as a cabinet or a standing desk and would suit a bedroom or living area. Ocura and Allcam supply mobile height-adjustable tables for working in a standing or seating position. Other suppliers of mobile computer desks include Wayfair.
It's surprising how much office you can squeeze into a small space. Wherever you set up your workplace, remember to plan task lighting, storage and electrical sockets. Converting a garage into a home office is another possible option.
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